Cricket - Women
Sri Lankan All-rounder girl Chamari Athapaththu to miss tournament in India
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lanka's women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu believes that her recent form and experience of playing in the first ever 20-over FairBreak tournament in Dubai will benefit her in the upcoming tour of Pakistan.
Sri Lankan team is to play three T-20Is followed by three ODIs' in Pakistan.
The 32-year-old bartting all-rounder recently played in the tournament where 90 players from 35 countries participated. She was the top scorer with 313 runs (in 7 matches she played) which also included an unbeaten score of 107 runs.
"I want to continue this form in Pakistan. I am excited about the Pak. tour", she said hours before returning to Colombo (to join the squad for Pak. tour).
"It was really a good opportunity for me, playing against the best overseas players and associate players. FairBreak is a really good platform for all womens cricketers. So I'm keen to play in this league next year also", she added.
Chamari, however, will miss the Indian cricket board-organized My-11 Circle Women’s T20 Challenge in India this month.
The BCCI tournament (May 23-28) will clash with the Sri Lankan women's tour of Pakistan.
Over 1,000 women appear in nationwide trials
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-As many as 1,118 young girls and women participated in the trials organised in five of the six Cricket Associations as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to make the game more gender-inclusive continue.
The biggest turnout was in Central Punjab where 287 players appeared in trials. With 250 players, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was next.
In what is a major development for the women’s game in Balochistan, 218 teenagers and women participated in the trials. 223 and 140 players gave trials in Southern Punjab and Northern.
The selection panel in these CAs, which comprised highly qualified coaches in former Test and first-class cricketers, selected players across the U19, emerging (ages 19-24) and senior (ages 25-28) categories.
125, 139 and 40 players were selected in the U19, emerging and senior categories in Balochistan, Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern (Muzaffarabad remaining) and Southern Punjab.
Head of Women’s Cricket Tania Mallick:
“The turnout in these trials is overwhelming. It underscores the appetite of women’s cricket in the country and has played a crucial role in the identification of talent in different parts. I want to thank parents around the country for facilitating their daughters to appear in these trials and this is a good omen for women’s cricket. The educational institutions have also played a major role in making these trials a success by bringing their students to venues.
“I want to congratulate and thank the CAs who have played a robust role in the smooth execution of trials. These trials are the first step in the long journey for the development and promotion of the women’s cricket in the country, and it cannot be done without the support of CAs and we will continue to provide all the necessary support for it.”
The selected players have ample opportunities with a bumper women’s cricket season ahead. The inaugural U19 World Cup next year provides teenage cricketers opportunities to make a name for themselves at a global stage, while players selected in other categories can push for the national selection by standing out in domestic T20 and One-Day tournaments as well as in a franchise tournament.
Pakistan national women’s team have a busy 2022-23 season which kicks off with the T20I series against Sri Lanka later this month. They feature in three ICC Women’s Championship series, two of which will be played in Pakistan, Commonwealth Games, ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The trials are a joint-effort of the PCB and CAs to strengthen the women player talent pool by making the game more accessible, and promote the sport amongst the female population of the country.
The trials in Muzaffarabad will be held on 17 May, while the Sindh-leg of the trials will be run from 18 to 28 May. The trials in Karachi will take place on 27 and 28 May.
PCB retains Bismah Maroof team captain for 2022-23
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today confirmed Bismah Maroof will continue to lead the national women’s limited-overs teams in the 2022-23 Season.
Pakistan are gearing up for an action-packed bumper season in which they will play, at least, 25 matches with the schedules for the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to be announced.
Their season begins by hosting Sri Lanka in Karachi for three T20Is and three ODIs in what will be the first instance of ICC Women’s Championship matches being staged in Pakistan from later this month.
Bismah’s team will then head for Belfast to play hosts Ireland and champions Australia in a T20I triangular series from 12-24 July before they move to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games to be held from 25 July to 8 August.
Like the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, Bismah will travel to Belfast and Birmingham with her daughter Fatima and mother with the Pakistan Cricket Board sharing the travel, lodging and boarding expenses in line with its Parental Support Policy.
In October, Ireland women will make their first-ever visit to Pakistan for three T20Is and as many ODIs, also ICC Women’s Championship matches, after which they will feature in ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup. They then travel to Australia for three T20Is and three ODIs, Pakistan’s first away ICC Women’s Championship fixtures of the cycle, at the start of 2023 and play ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February in South Africa.
Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof:
“It is truly an honour for any cricketer to captain their country and it is a great privilege for me to continue in this role. The 2022-23 cricket season is the busiest for Pakistan women’s side and we are excited and geared up for the challenges it presents.
“Every match in the upcoming season is important for us as a team as bilateral ODIs will determine whether we qualify for the next ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and the T20Is provide us opportunities to prepare for the all-important T20 World Cup in February next year.
“I want to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for its immense support throughout my career and especially in helping me strike the right work-life balance after the birth of Fatima. There was a time when I contemplated giving up on my passion of playing cricket, but the PCB ensured it never came to that with the introduction of the maternity policy, which has made the game as inclusive as it can be for the women in our country. I also want to thank my family and especially my husband, Abrar, who has been a great support throughout my career, and has provided me encouragement to continue to play for Pakistan.”
Head of Women’s cricket Tania Mallick:
“I want to congratulate Bismah Maroof on her retention as the leader of the national side. She has been an inspiration for women around the world with her demeanour on and off the field and I am sure our side will produce strong and consistent results in their leadership over the next year.”
Bismah made her Pakistan debut at 15 against India in an ODI at Jaipur in December 2006. She is the only Pakistan women cricketer with 5,000 international runs. She took reins of the T20I side in 2016 and was named the ODI captain after the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Match officials for Pakistan-Sri Lanka women series announced
Sports Reporter
KARACHI:-The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed the match officials appointments for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka women T2oI and ODI series which will be played at the Southend Club, Karachi from Tuesday, 24 May.
The Sri Lankan team arrives in Karachi on 19th May, the two teams will engage in a three-match T20I series with matches scheduled for 24, 26 and 28 May. The three ODI matches which are a part of the ICC Women’s Championship will be played on 1, 3 and 5 June.
Umpires Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Afridi, Imtiaz Iqbal and Imran Jawed will share the on-field and reserve umpire duties. Ali Naqvi will be the match referee for the T20Is while Mohammad Javed Malik will perform the refereeing duties for the ODIs.
Umpire and match referee appointments:
24 May – 1st T20I, Karachi. Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Afridi (on-field), Imtiaz Iqbal (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)
26 May – 2nd T20I, Karachi. Faisal Afridi and Imran Jawed (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)
28 May – 3rd T20I, Karachi. Asif Yaqoob and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field), Imran Jawed (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)
1 June – 1st ODI, Karachi. Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Afridi (on-field), Imran Jawed (reserve umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)
3 June – 2nd ODI, Karachi. Faisal Afridi and Imran Jawed (on-field), Imtiaz Iqbal (reserve umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)
5 June – 3rd ODI, Karachi. Asif Yaqoob and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field), Faisal Afridi (reserve umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)
PCB reveals women team training & media activities
Sports Reporter
KARACHI:-The national women’s team’s training camp for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka formally begins on Monday (tomorrow). The camp will be staged at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, National Stadium Karachi and will finish on 18 May.
During the camp, the 26 camp participants will engage in three 50-overs (11, 14 and 17 May) and two T20 practice matches (12 and 15 May).
On the remaining days of the camp, the participants will prepare for the series with extensive practice through nets and fielding sessions.
Friday, 13 May and Monday, 16 May will be rest days.
Media talk opportunities schedule is below.
Monday, 9 May:
Training session 9:30am to 12:45pm
Head coach David Hemp’s media talk – Hanif Mohammad HPC, 12:30pm
Thursday, 12 May:
T20 practice match 11:00am to 2:30pm
All-rounder Nida Dar’s media talk – Hanif Mohammad HPC, 12:30pm
Wednesday, 18 May:
Training session 9:30am to 12:45pm
Batter Sidra Amin media talk – Hanif Mohammad HPC, 12:30pm
Camp participants (players):
Aiman Anwar, Anam Amin, Anoosha Nasir, Ayesha Bilal, Ayesha Naseem, Ayesha Zafar, Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Pervaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shams, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umme Hani, Waheeda Akhtar and Yusra Amir.
Support personnel:
David Hemp (Head coach), Saleem Jaffer (Bowling coach), Waqar Orakzai (Assistant coach), Saboor Ahmad (Strength and Conditioning coach), Rifat Asghar Gill (Physiotherapist), Dr Muhammad Khurram (Doctor), Zubair Ahmed (Analyst).
Series itinerary (training and matches at Karachi’s Southend Club)
19 May – Sri Lanka arrival in Karachi
21-23 May – Training
24 May – First T20I
26 May – Second T20I
28 May – Third T20I
1 Jun – First ODI
3 Jun – Second ODI
5 Jun – Third ODI
Chamari Athapaththu gets busy to steer Falcons with blistering knock
Bipin Dani
Earlier this week, Sri Lanka's national women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu, playing for Falcons team against Warriors made a brilliant knock of unbeaten 107 runs, which included 13 fours and five sixes.
The 32-year-old all rounder was playing the first D/N match in the FairBreak Invitational Tournament.
Interestingly, the 90 players from 35 countries participating in this tournament have no display of numbers on their shirts.
No numbers, flags only
"Yes, the players' shirts have names and country flags instead of numbers", R. Venkatesh, the Tournament Director, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Dubai, said.
"This showcases the names of countries participating and also shows the players as individuals. This shows the global footprint of the tournament", he added.
The players' kits are made of recyclable plastic or black hemp. "These two are sustainable materials. This is consistent with our policy of being conscious about wastage and degradation issues and ensuring that we promote sustainability", Venkatesh signed off.
Pakistan Tour: Navy man appointed manager for Sri Lankan female team
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Navy man Nishantha de Silva as manager for the women's team for the forthcoming Pakistan tour.
Nishantha has been working with the Navy as a Rear Admiral. He is the Director General Logistics Head of Logistics in the Navy.
Chamari Atapattu is likely to be the captain for Pak. tour.
The team is likely to leave for Pakistan on May 20 and all six matches (three T-20Is and three ODIs) will be played from May 24 to June 5 at one venue (Southend Club) in Karachi.
Sri Lankan women's team is likely to be led by Chamari Atapattu, who, with Udeshika Prabodhani, are heading to UAE to participate in the first ever privately-funded FairBreak T-20 women's cricket event.
They will return to Sri Lanka on May 16 after playing in the event, which is scheduled to run from May 1-15 in Dubai.
Udeshika Prabodhani selected to play first FairBreak T-20 in Dubai
BIPIN DANI
Udeshika Prabodhani will be the second woman player from Sri Lanka to play in the first ever privately-funded FairBreak T-20 women's cricket event in Dubai early next month. The event is organised by Cricket Hong Kong. The tournament is scheduled to run from May 1 to 15, 2022.
Along with Chamira Atapattu, the 36-year-old left-arm medium pacer Udeshika Prabodhani will reach UAE (United Arab Emirates) this week", Ravi Nagdev, the General Manager, Cricket Hong Kong said.
"The Fairbreak T20 is something that Fairbreak Global and Cricket Hong Kong have been working on for years. It's an event which features 90 players from 35 countries, no other cricket tournament in the world has players from so many countries'', Nagdev added.
"It's about putting the profile on Female Cricket and also growing the Cricket Market. Imagine players from Bhutan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Tanzania, Japan playing together with Suzie Bates, Heather Knight and or Laura Wolvaardt".
"Former ICC umpire Simon Taufel will lead an officiating team from nine countries. He will be the mentor umpire assisting with performance development functions for the FairBreak officiating team", he added.
Pakistan Tour:
Both players will return to Sri Lanka after the tournament in Dubai. Chamari Atapattu is likely to be named captain for Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan.
The team for Pakistan will be managed by Nishantha de Silva, who works in the Navy as a Rear Admiral.
Training camp for women series against Sri Lanka to start from May 7, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI:-National women selectors have announced a list of 26 players for the preparatory camp for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka that will be played in Karachi from 24 May. The 12-day long camp will be staged at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, National Stadium Karachi from 7 to 18 May.
Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig and Fatima Sana will not attend the camp and join the squad for the series on 17 May, the quartet will be taking part in a women’s T20 event in Dubai. Left-arm-spinner Nashra Sandhu will be missing out on the camp due to a shoulder injury. The six series matches (three T20Is and three ODIs) will be staged at Karachi’s Southend Club.
Names of players:
Aiman Anwar, Anam Amin, Anoosha Nasir, Ayesha Bilal, Ayesha Naseem, Ayesha Zafar, Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Pervaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shams, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umme Hani, Waheeda Akhtar and Yusra Amir.
Support personnel:
David Hemp (Head coach), Saleem Jaffer (Bowling coach), Waqar Orakzai (Assistant coach), Saboor Ahmad (Strength and Conditioning coach), Rifat Asghar Gill (Physiotherapist), Dr Mohammad Khurram (Doctor)
Itinerary (Venue: Karachi’s Southend Club):
19 May – Teams arrive in Karachi
21-23 May – Training
24 May – First T20I
26 May – Second T20I
28 May – Third T20I
1 Jun – First ODI
3 Jun – Second ODI
5 Jun – Third ODI
PCB and CAs to conduct nationwide women trials in May
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-As part of its efforts to develop a strong talent pool of women cricketers and increase the participation of teenage girls, the Pakistan Cricket Board will hold nationwide trials in collaboration with six Cricket Associations next month.
The trials will be conducted by highly qualified coaches, including former Test and first-class cricketers, for three age brackets: U19, in which players who are born on or after 1 September 2003 are eligible; emerging, players falling in the age bracket of 19-24 years; and seniors, for players between the ages of 25 and 28.
To ensure the maximum participation of the girls and young women, the players who are part of the PCB’s regional academy system are not eligible for these trials. This development comes after the PCB announced that around 100 women cricketers will feature in the 2022-23 domestic cricket season.
These trials will further help in nourishing the talent pool and strengthening the bench strength across all rungs with the ICC Under-19 T20 Women’s World Cup scheduled to be played in South Africa in February 2023 and a jam-packed national women’s side schedule.
Schedule of trials by CAs:
Balochistan – 12 May
Central Punjab 6-9 May
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 9-11 May
Northern 10-17 May
Sindh 18-28 May
Southern Punjab 10-12 May
Head of Women’s Cricket Tania Mallick:
“To continue the growth and evolution of women’s cricket in the country, it is very important that the game is made accessible to teenage girls and young women across the country. This initiative will help us in digging up the talented cricketers, whom we can groom and provide necessary facilities and formal training to make them become better at the game.
“I want to thank our six Cricket Associations, who have jumped on board for this initiative and have shown keen interest to develop and promote women’s cricket in their jurisdictions.”
Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof:
“When I started to play cricket, there were not enough avenues for girls to take up this sport. This initiative takes cricket to the doorstep of every aspiring cricketer, and bodes well for the development of women’s cricket in the country.
“There is a strong interest in young girls for this game and with proper coaching, training and facilities, they will surely do wonders for the country.”
Details for the trials in Gilgit-Baltistan will be announced in due course.
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